Can somebody please help me discern the visible external differences 'twixt the 300/400/500series and 600/700/800 series? The wing looks a little different in plan view, but I never have the opportunity to be directly above the @#%$ thing.

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Look at the number of emergency seats over the wing as well as the engine cowling. The much newer models have an almost flat bottom. Plus the wings on the 800 are wider and longer than the other versions. I hope I could have helped

The 737-600, 700, 800, and 900 all have larger wings (112' 7" vs. 94') and a 5 foot taller tail. The engine nacelles on the new series are more rounded than the 300-500, but are not as round as a 757 or other jet.

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You notice the flap track fairings on the 737NG are larger than on the 737 Classic (actually based on the 757 - you can see the similarity) They don't come to a sharp point in the way they do on the 737 classic. Also, due to the longer wing they appear to be much closer inboard than on earlier aircraft.

If you're at the airport trying to identify an approaching 737, the landing lights on the NG are in the wing roots and under the fuselage (like Airbus). Earlier 737's have lights in the wing roots and also in the flap tracks, well out along each wing.